(15. WTA) in the 1/16 final of the tournament they faced Jelena Rybakina (Kazakhstan, 20th WTA). The first set did not go well for the Belarusian woman. In the eighth game it was broken, and a moment later the opponent won the game 6: 3. At the beginning of the second set at 2: 2, 40:40 and Wiktoria Azarenka’s service there was a strange incident.
“This is not normal, this happened for the first time”
The Belarusian woman after a double service error (in the first game she had four, eight in total) was getting ready for the service, but failed to do it. Suddenly she covered her eyes with her hand and burst into tears. The audience immediately clapped loudly. – Are you ready, do you need help? asked judge Paula Vieira Souza. Moments later, she left her stool and went to Azarenko. – I’m sorry, I’m so sorry – only a Belarusian was able to say.
A moment later Rybakina came to the net and talked with the judge as well. The competitor asked what was going on with the rival. “I was just checking that she was okay,” said Paula Vieira Souza. – Okay, but is this normal? Rybakina asked further. “No, it’s not normal, it happened for the first time,” added Paula Vieira Souza.
After the two-minute break, Azarenka was able to continue. – Nothing is known about the causes of the violent outburst of emotions – we read in the Swiss tabloid “Blick”.
Azarenka also lost the second set – 4: 6. Two weeks ago, she was number one in the world ranking and published an entry on social media in which she stood on the side of Ukraine. – I am devastated by the actions that are taking place in recent days against Ukraine. It pains me how violence affects the lives of so many innocent people. From childhood, I have always seen Ukrainians and Belarusians, incl. how both nations supported each other – she wrote, inter alia Azarenka. The voice of the titled Belarusian woman was very important.
In the 1/8 finals of the tournament in Indian Wells, Rybakina will play with Swiss Viktorija Golubic (51st WTA).
On the other hand, Iga witek will play her match in this round on Tuesday at 20.30. Her rival will be. The match starts at 20.30. We invite you to follow the live coverage on Sport.pl and in the Sport.pl LIVE mobile application.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
